Artist Profile

Shadow Boxers, etching, 8” x 10”

Jami Taback is an award-winning, internationally exhibiting artist who has had more than fifty one-person and group exhibitions throughout the world. She excels in several disciplines -- primarily painting, printmaking and drawing. She is the recipient of numerous awards including a Painting Prize at the Arad Biennale, Romania. Her work is included in numerous private collections throughout the world.

Jami Taback is currently working with the Police Athletic League of Yonkers, N.Y. and C.O.M.B.A.T.T., of Newark, N.J., to bring an awareness of the social aspects of urban youth afterschool programs. The artist’s paintings depict youths participating in the programs to help train them for the Golden Gloves Tournaments.

“I became interested in the art of boxing when, by chance, I met a two-time Golden Glove champion. He proceeded to tell me about some of the youths who come to him for training. Beyond athletic training they receive some of the elements missing in their home life: attention, guidance and self-discipline. As a painter, I tend to respond with painterly thoughts, so, even though I am innately pacifistic, my mind turned to the possibilities of presenting the situation as a body of work on canvas and paper. The artworks garner public attention and focus a social consciousness on the problems faced by so many of our urban youths growing up without direction.

The martial arts may not seem like the obvious path to a life of responsibility. However, in the time I have been involved in this project, it has become abundantly clear that some of the boys living “on the edge” of society are willing to spend their time at various gyms in the communities where boxing programs are available, so this is a viable place for them to acquire the skills and disciplines that the martial arts provide, all under supervision to provide safety regulation. So the P.A.L provides a valuable haven for urban refugees who would otherwise be more vulnerable to all the threats and dangers on the street.

My art represents the youths from the training aspect; an honest view without glamorization, which makes it rather unique compared to other sports-themed artwork. "

Jami Taback's paintings are auctioned off at fundraiser events. A portion of the proceeds is donated to her favorite cause which are urban youth afterschool programs. She is on an important mission: "I am looking for any organization with after school programs taking place in community gyms in their neighborhoods to contact me to arrange for me to help you with your next fundraiser event."

View Jami Taback's other works: Etchings and monotypes in our Online Gallery.